Jun.16 (GMM) McLaren is hoping the blown exhaust crackdown gives the MP4-26 a big performance boost in qualifying.

With their race pace now close, McLaren believes a big reason for its qualifying deficit is due to Red Bull's perfection of the blown exhaust strategy on Saturday.

"It's quite possible we will close up in qualifying by half a second (if there is a ban)," McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.

Jenson Button told Blick: "They (Red Bull) use the exhaust gases into the diffuser non-stop on a qualifying lap, but not in the race."

The FIA's intention to clamp down on the technology for Silverstone in mid July will be discussed between bosses and Charlie Whiting on Thursday in London.

It has even been rumoured that Red Bull is not ruling out challenging the FIA's decision.

"This is about an interpretation of the rules," said Force India's Otmar Szafnauer.

"If the interpretation is different to the FIA, the teams can appeal, but on the other hand the court's ruling will be the interpretation of the federation."

Red Bull's Adrian Newey has expressed surprise and anger that the FIA seems to be pressing ahead with a mid-season technical rule change on the grounds of something other than safety.

But a Pirelli source told O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper: "The (Red Bull) exhausts are too close to the tyres."

The source said teams have been told that, on safety grounds, there should be at least a 40cm distance between the exhausts - producing on average 700 degrees C - and the tyres.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version